Premier League Preview: Sunderland Vs Liverpool

Premier League match time returns to The Stadium of Light with Sunderland set to host Liverpool in match week 30 on Sunday, March 20,b>sbo in the second of a two-legged contest. The first, hosted by Liverpool on September 25, 2010,sbo ended in a 2-2 stalemate. When Kuyt put the home side ahead in the sixth minute, it was hard to imagine any other result than a Liverpool victory. But as things transpired, Sunderland went 2-1 up, three minutes after the interval, when Bent got his second goal of the match. Earlier, Bent had scored off a penalty awarded on 25 minutes to bring the Black Cats level with Roy Hodgson's wards. There was another twist waiting to happen,sbo and just as the game appeared to be drifting towards a Sunderland win, Gerrard scored in the 65th minute to salvage a point for the Merseysiders. The previous week, a second string Liverpool side had lost unexpectedly to Northampton Town. Returning to Premier League action, the Anfield squad were back to full strength, and hopeful of taking away full three points from the Sunderland game. Under the circumstances,sbobet Liverpool were mediocre on the day, and were fortunate to salvage the point they did. Contrastingly, Sunderland were sharp in attack and kept the Liverpudlian defence under constant pressure. Steve Bruce even disputed Liverpool's first goal which happened when Kuyt latched on to the ball apparently nudged back to the keeper by Turner who was to take a free kick. The Sunderland manager claimed that Turner was merely placing the ball in position for a free-kick and that the referee had favoured Liverpool. Head to head,sbobet Liverpool hold a 11-2 advantage over Sunderland in the last 20 league games played between the sides, with the remaining 6 matches drawn. In their last 10 league games, Sunderland have registered 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses; Liverpool have won 5 of their last 10, while losing 3 and drawing the remaining 2. Of their 14 home games this season, Sunderland have won 6, drawn 5 and lost 3,sbobet while Liverpool have won 3 of their 14 games on the road, while losing 9 and drawing the remaining 2. In match week 29, Sunderland drew 0-0 away at Arsenal; Liverpool won 3-1 at home against Manchester United. Given Sunderland's good home record combined with Liverpool's bad showing on the road, Sunderland hold the edge. Sunderland's starting eleven against Arsenal had the following players: Mignolet,sbobet Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson, Muntari, Mabranque, Richardson, Sessegnon and Gyan. El Mohamady,sbo Colback and Wellbeck were used as substitutes